If you have been a landlord for any length of time, one thing you know to expect is tenant problems. Most of the time it's “the usual”; something has quit working. It is either stopped up, broken or won't come on. They are calling you because you are supposed to fix their problem.

But if you have commercial property, you can get into a whole new set of unique situations and different types of problems than you do with residential real estate. Some of these problems are big problems.

Even a seasoned landlord isn't ready to get out of the car at one of their commercial properties and see a bunch of fellows in jackets with big letters on them especially when those letters are “DEA”.

Cabbage, Onions and ….What’s In That Crate? A Tale of Drugs, the DEA, and Real Estate Investing

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The tenant has the right, under certain very aggravated circumstances caused by the landlord’s neglect, to withhold rent. This can only be done when the landlord fails to comply with an important responsibility, such as providing a safe and habitable home in compliance with local housing codes. Before rent is withheld, the tenant must give the landlord seven days written notice of the problem so the landlord can fix it. Even after withholding rent, the tenant should preserve the money and seek court permission to spend part of it to do what the landlord should have done. If the tenant does not preserve the money and seek court assistance, the tenant may be evicted for nonpayment.